Magnificent 1st Prize Risotto Food

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

RISOTTO WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS AND MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Combine 2 c boiling water and mushrooms; let stand 30 mins or until soft. Drain through a colander over a bowl. Reserve 1 1/2 c soaking liquid; chop mushrooms.
• Bring soaking liquid and broth to a simmer in a small saucepan (do not boil). Keep broth mixture warm.
• Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add rice, shallots, and garlic; saute 5 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid evaporates (about 2 mins).
• Add 1 c broth mixture to rice mixture; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add remaining broth mixture, 1/2 c at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of the broth mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 mins total). Add mushrooms, grated cheese, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper; stir gently until cheese melts. Spoon 1 c risotto into each of 4 bowls and top with 1 T mascarpone and thyme leaves if desired.

RISOTTO WITH BEANS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan bring broth to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer until needed. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan cook mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add uncooked rice. Cook and stir about 5 minutes more or until rice is golden brown.
• Slowly add 1 cup of the broth to the rice mixture, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until liquid is absorbed. Add another 1/2 cup of the broth, the zucchini, and carrots to rice mixture, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until liquid is absorbed. Add another 1 cup broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until the broth is absorbed. (This should take about 20 minutes.)
• Stir the remaining 1/2 cup broth into rice mixture. Cook and stir until rice is slightly creamy and just tender. Stir in beans and Parmesan cheese; heat through. Sprinkle with parsley and additional cheese, if desired.
• Makes 4 main dish or 6 side dish servings.

RISOTTO WITH PARMIGIANO, PROSCIUTTO AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat bring broth to a simmer.
• In a seperate saucepan or skillet combine oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
• Stir in onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute another minute.
• Stir in rice, cook for 5 minutes, stirring to coat rice.
• Add one cup broth; stirring constantly until absorbed. Continue to add broth by ladelfuls, stirring constantly, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding more broth, until the rice is tender - this will take about 20 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Remove from heat and stir in the Parmigiano and remaining 1 tablespoon butter and salt.
• Divide among 4 bowls, topping each serving with Prosciutto.

CARROT AND ZUCCHINI RISOTTO (VEGAN)

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable stock to a low simmer. Keep simmering throughout the making of this recipe.
• In a small bowl, combine the saffron and 1 cup of the vegetable stock. Set aside to infuse.
• Heat oil in a very large skillet (12 inch diameter at least).
• Saute the onions, garlic, carrots and zucchini in the oil until the onions are translucent.
• Add the Arborio rice and stir for a few minutes.
• Add the wine, the saffron-infused stock, and an additional ladle of stock. Stir well.
• Add pepper to taste.
• Stir the risotto until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Add 1-2 ladles of vegetable stock and stir until the liquid is absorbed.
• Repeat the previous step until the the rice is tender but there is still a speck of white in the center of each grain. This is a sign of a well-made risotto. This should take about 20 minutes.
• Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.

RISOTTO IN A PRESSURE COOKER

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in the cooker. Saute the onion until soft but not brown, about 2 minute Stir in the rice, making sure to coat it thoroughly with the fat. Stir in 3-1/2 c of the stock (watch for sputtering oil).
• Lock the lid in place and over high heat bring to hig pressure. Adjust the heat to maintain high pressure and cook for 6 minute Reduce pressure with a quick-release method (see below). Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow any excess steam to escape.
• Taste the rice, and if it's not sufficiently cooked, add a bit more stock as you stir. Cook over medium heat until the additional liquid has been absorbed and the rice is desired consistency, another minute or two. When the rice is ready, stir in the Gruyere and Parmesan, add salt to taste and serve immediately.
• NOTES: Adding some sort of fat is critical when cooking rice and grains so that the liquid/starch doesn't foam and plug up the steam vents. I'd also keep a close eye on it toward the end as I imagine that if you use less water the rice might dry out in the last minute or so. Also, Cooking Under Pressure is a nice reference book with a number of modern/gourmet- type recipes such as this one.
• For better taste and texture, it's essential to use an Italian short-grain white rice such as Arborio, Carnaroli, or Maratelli. Traditionally the rice is not rinsed before cooking since the water would wash away starches that contribute to the velvety sauce enveloping each grain. The perfect risotto should be slightly soupy and properly chewy, with the rice offering just a pleasant resistance to the bite. For this reason, the pressure is always quick-released and the risotto must be served as soon as it is finished -- Leftover risotto can also be shaped into pancakes and warmed or pan-fried in a little butter, or heated in the microwave.
• Using the basic formula of 3-1/2 to 4 c of liquid to 1-1/2 c Arborio rice you can create your own recipes and also use traditional recipes.
• Although classic risottos usually contain wine, the above recipe(s) are flavorful without it.